Windows 10 resources for IT pros opened up this week as Microsoft prepares to deliver the "creators update" (version 1703) on Tuesday.

The creators update will be a cumulative update, containing all of the bits since the last big feature update, which is known as the Windows 10 "anniversary update." A "feature update" is Microsoft's terminology for a major Windows 10 release, which arrives maybe twice per year. Windows 10 also gets smaller monthly "quality updates."

Feature updates, like the creators update, can be hefty ones. Microsoft explained in February that its differential upgrade technology used with electronic software distribution (ESD) streaming files via Windows Update or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) can be expected to deliver Windows 10 feature updates at around 3.5GB per PC, and it can take about 30 minutes to 90 minutes for the in-place upgrade to complete.